Sheet piling



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INVENTOR ing different rigidity.

Patented Apr. 7, 1931 l UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE CHARLES S. BOARDMAN, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JONES 6u LAUGHLIN STEEL CORPORATION, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, .A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA SHEET PILING Application med-February'l, 1928. Serial No. 254,700.

This invention relates to sheet piling and provides a system comprising a plurality of relatively interlocking piling sections hav- Sheet piling is used for constructing docks or cofier-dams, retaining walls, etc., and the conditions of its use are generally such that a water-tight joint between the interlocking sections is necessary.

The piling sections are frequently very long, sections one hundred feet in length having been driven.

A piling section does not always drive straight, but frequently becomes bowed in one direction or the other, or may even have reverse curves along its length. When an interlocliing section is driven it does not necessarily follow the curvature which the first driven section has assumed. In `fact, there is frequently a considerable di'erence in the curvature of adjacent interlocking sections. It will be understood that the curvatures of the sections are very slight, but nevertheless the condition is sufficient to change the manner in which the interlocking hooks and flanges of thel twol sections bear against one another, and consequently there is likelihood of the joint being leaky in at least some portions of the length of the sections.

I overcome this difculty by providing interlocking wall sections of different rigidity. I preferably employ spaced sections of a relatively rigid character, and intermediate sections which are relatively yieldable under pressure. Such yieldable sections are more free to assume the contour of the rigid sections, particularly when subjected Vto hydraulic or earth pressure, and therefore a more water-tight joint is secured.`

I preferably make the intermediate sections relatively wide and flat because one edge may have to assume one contour as detcrmined by the curvature of the rigid section with which it interlocks.

The different rigidity of the different sections maybe secured in various ways. I preferably employ channel-like rigid sections. as illustrated, for example. in my prior Patent 1.498.778. dated .Tune 24th. 1924. The less rigid sections may be made by flaring the side flanges of such channel-like sections outwardly soA as -to produce sections which are relatively shallower and wider, but are of substantially the same length from interlock to interlock as measured along the center line of the body. I term such sections extended channel4 sections?" They may be readily manufactured, as the passes for producing them, with the exception of the final shaping pass, can be the same'as the passes for producing the simple vchannel-like sections. Y

Another way of making the less rigid sections is to lemploy channel-like sections of less depth, or having thinner walls.

The interlocks employed are preferably of the channel type illustrated in my patent above referred to-that is to say, the joints are fiexible and provide a three-point contact. This type of joint is particularly valuable in constructionsof the character herein described.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the present preferred' embodiment of my invention, and various combinations of piling sections,

Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, are outline views showing the relative size and shape of different piling sections adapted to be used with one another. and

Figures G to 9 inclusive, are horizontal sectional views taken through assembled piling structures showing various combinations of the piling sections illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

Figure 1 shows a channel section comprising a web 2 and body flanges 3. The body flanges terminate in hook flanges 4 forming a part of the interlock. Guard fianges 5 stand out from the sides of the body anges 3 and cooperate with the hook fianges 4.

Figure 2 shows a relatively shallower channel section in which parts corresponding to similar parts in Figure 1 have been given the same reference character with an a suffixed thereto. The interlocks of the section Ishown in Figure 2 are such as to cooperate with the intcrlocks of .the channel section shown in Figure l. A piling structure employing these two sections is illustrated in` Figure 6. It comprises the rigid sections of Figure 1 placed at regular intervals against the range or waling G. these sections being connected by intermediate sections of the character shown in Figure 2.

The sections lying against the range are relatively rigid in character, while the intermediatt` sect-ions which are spaced from the range are flexible or vieldable lin character. The yieldable sections adapt themselves to the curvatures assumed by the rigid sections in a way that more rigid sections could not do, thus insuring a more water-tight structure. By reason of the fact that the intermediate yieldable sections are relatively wide and shallow, their opposite edges may assume different contours as determined by the contours assumed by adjacent rigid sections.

Figure 3y shows an extended channel section comprising a web 7 and body flanges 8 whose outer portions 9 are flared outwardly so that they lie at a relatively flatter angle to the web 7 than do those portions of the body flange adjacent such web. The piling section of Figure 3 contains the same amount of metal as the piling section of Figure 1 but is relatively wider and shallower; The distance from interlock to interlock on the piling section of Figure 1 is the same as on the piling section of Figure 3 measured along the body, and the interlocks are of the same character so that the sections may be used together.

Figure 5 shows a piling section having a substantially plane body, there being only relatively small offsets at the end of the body, which offsets carry the interloeks Figure shows the piling sections of Figures 3 and 4 employed together, the sections of Figure 3 being the relatively rigid sections which are placed against t-he range 5, while the relatively more yieldable sections of Figure 4 are placed therebetween.

Figure 8 shows the rigid piling sections of Figure 1 combined with the corresponding extended channel section of Figure 3 which, as above stated, are relatively wider and shallower, and therefore relatively more yieldable. The webs of the sections shown in Figures 2 and 4 are relatively thinner than the webs shown in the sections of Figures 1 and 2. It is possible by thus changing the relative thickness of certain parts of difierent piling sections to change their relative stiffness, although it is also generally desirable to change the depth of the various sections relative to one another. It will be seen that by the provision of a relatively few sections, a large number of combinations adaptable to dierent circumstances may besecured, the various sections all interlocking with one another.

Figure 9 shows the piling section of Figure 4 and the piling section of Figure 5 interlocked to form a piling structure. The relatively flat piling sections of Figure 5 are more yieldable than the extended channel sections of Figure 4. The piling of Figure 9 covers a very great area per unit of weight, and at the same time possesses the advantages obtained by combining yieldable sections With relatively more rigid sections.-

The extended channel sections are in themselves of value as they are readily rolled, stacked in a small space, and provide a piling structure having a very low weight per square foot.

I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment ot` the invention. It will be understood, however. that it is not limited to the form shown, but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim l. In sheet piling, generally channel-like, sections having su Jstantially stra-ight side flanges and intermediate sections interlocking with the first mentioned sections, the intermediate sections having side flanges whose outer portions are flared relative to the inner portions.

2. A sheet piling section comprising a relatively flat web having upstanding body flanges, a flange having an outer portion lying at a flatter angle to the web than the portion of such flange adjacent the we b, the body flanges terminating in hook flanges, and guard flanges projecting from the sides of the body flanges.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES S. BOARDMAN. 

